Impact of climate change on seed production of cabbage in North Western Himalayas.

Abstract

Abstract: A study was conducted on the changes in long-term climate parameters of Kullu valley on the basis of annual as well as monthly rainfall, maximum and minimum temperatures recorded during AD 1962 to 2004. Further, an analysis of the impact of climatic changes during 1981 to 2004 was done on the seed yield of cabbage var. Golden Acre in the upper Kullu valley in Hindukush Himalayas. For this, average monthly maximum temperature and rainfall data of May (pod setting period) and monthly average maximum temperature data of March-April (period of bolting and flowering) were analyzed. It was observed that the average maximum temperature of May rose by 1.58°C. The minimum temperatures for the months of April and August rose by 2.03 and 2.165°C, respectively. From 1981 to 2004, around 40 % reduction in seed production per unit area was noted. The relative humidity during the month of May did not have any significant effect on seed yield. Correlation coefficients between mean monthly rainfall during May and seed yield (r =-0.49), mean maximum temperature during April and seed yield (-0.36) and maximum temperature during May and seed yield (-0.39) indicate that when temperature rise, it affects seed production of cabbage adversely. Also, if rainfall increases during May, the seed yield is reduced. It has also been observed that the rainfall during August has decreased and during September it has increased resulting in late onset of autumn thereby suggesting that the planting of cabbage should also be delayed at least by a fortnight to avoid incidence of soft rot and increased seed yield. Key words: Himalayas Climate change Seed production Cabbage Kullu valley